Counter Talk
A Play in One Act
By Michael Danese
Copyright 2004 by Michael Danese
Smashwords Edition
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At a small restaurant in the city, worlds collide and paths cross like ships in the night.
Everyone has a story and each patron is really only interested in their own.
The breakfast crowd is in full swing.
Rosie, the owner is at the register.
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Table 1 - Jerry, a regular visitor to the place is eating with his friend, Bill. He points out some of the regulars to Bill. He also wants to date the waitress, Barbsy.
Barbsy has two small children. She might be interested in him – they have flirted in the past; he comes in for breakfast a lot, usually to see Barbsy.
As she travels from table to table we hear bits of conversations
Table 2 - A mother and daughter discuss the daughter’s relationship with her “older” boyfriend. The daughter is taken with him. The mother cautions that he is only after one thing.
Table 3 - A young couple plans a crime. They are desperate to make some quick money and get out of town. The women is worried that a dealer that she owes money to will hurt them both.
Table 4 - A couple in their 70’s is in the city celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They seem happy, but miss their children and grandchildren that are always too busy for them. Barbsy makes a fuss over them. She wishes her parents were like them. She thinks to herself how lucky those absent children are to have these people in their lives.
Table 5 - a couple that have just spent the night together try to figure out what to tell their spouses. They are both embarrassed and ashamed at their behavior, but talk as if it wasn’t the first time that this has happened between then, and probably won’t be the last.
Table 6 - At another table, two men are involved in a job interview. One man wants the other to come and work with him. The other finds the offer attractive, but isn’t comfortable double-crossing his present partner and co-workers.
Table 7 - A family of four. The wife is complaining about working two shifts while her drinker husband is out of work. The kids seem to be victims here.
Table 8 – Two women, lovers, deal with a life-changing situation. One breaks the news to the other that she has breast cancer.
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CURTAIN RISES
Table 1
Jerry – There she is, don’t look right away.
Bill – (LOOKING RIGHT AWAY) – Yeah, she is cute – great smile.
Jerry - Idiot, I told you not to look right away. Here she comes.
Barbsy – Hey darlin’. Not flying solo today, huh?
Jerry – No . . . this is my friend, Bill.
Barbsy – Charmed. Coffee, Bill?
Bill – Sure, with lots of sugar.
Barbsy – (POURS. WALKING AWAY) – I’ll get your order in a sec.
Bill – So that is why you come here everyday.
Jerry – Well, it is convenient and the food is pretty good . . .
Bill – Yeah, but I know the way you work. Like a tiger stalking its prey.
Jerry – Oh, now I’m a stalker!
Bill – Stalker, gawker, what’s the difference!
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Rosie – I see your buddy is back again today.
Barbsy – Stop, he is sweet! (SHE GOES TO THE NEXT TABLE)
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Table 2
(BARBSY POURS COFFEE)
Mom – (TO BARBSY) Thanks.
(TO HER DAUGHTER, JOY) I don’t care. He is too old for you.
Joy - 12 years doesn’t seem like such a difference.
Mom – It does when you are only 19!
Joy – But we are so good together.
Mom – You think that now. You have your whole life in front of you. He is only planning for the weekend!
Joy – Mom, I’m not that naive. You think I can’t handle a man! Admit it!
Mom – If your father was around he would tell you the same thing.
Joy – Yeah, well he is and expert isn’t he?
Mom – Didn’t his adventures teach you anything? Remember that he walked out on us to be with his “sweet young thing” and you know what happened there!
Joy – I’m not his “sweet young thing!” And he isn’t married anymore, so don’t compare him to dad!
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Table 3
Couple rushes in
Rosie– Two?
Pete – Can we sit in the back?
Barbsy – (AS SHE PASSES, GRABS TWO MENUS) I got ‘em, Follow me.
(THEY ARE SEATED, BARBSY MOVES ON)
Jill – If I don’t pay him he will kill me. I just know it.
Pete – Yeah, you’re right. He won’t find us in here.
Jill – He’ll kill me just to make a name for himself. Keep an eye out the window, would ya!
Pete – I am. How could you let this happen?
Jill – I don’t know – it all seemed so easy. Get the stuff from Mario, bring it to JJ. Get the money, pay Mario, make a bundle!
Pete – Yeah, sounds easy, but trusting JJ was your mistake. Now it’s your ass.
Jill – Don’t I know it.
Pete – JJ is probably 100 miles from here by now.
Jill – Maybe Maria knows where to find him.
Pete – She will, but not until he is broke and strung out again. That’ll take days.
Jill – I’m scared, Pete.
Pete –We gotta get some quick cash. A couple hundred will put him off for a while.
Jill – I know, but how?
Pete – Can’t you hit up you dad, tell him you are in trouble or something?
Jill – No way, the last time was the last time for him. He made that clear.
Pete – What about you brother? He’s loaded!
Jill – It won’t work. I can never get a hold of him anyway, and that shrew of a wife of his won’t even give him a message.
Pete – Maybe we can rob the liquor store on the corner.
Jill – Too risky. These shop owners are smart. They have their own guns. If we had more time maybe we could hit a house or two, but we don’t have time.
Pete – I’ll think of something!
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Table 4
Barbsy – Are you two lovebirds ready to order?
Martha – You are so dear, isn’t she Rick?